Method and system for fluid mediated disk activation and deactivation

Abstract

Embodiments of methods and systems for controlling access to information stored on memory or data storage devices are disclosed. In various embodiments, fluid-mediated modification of information or access to information is utilized. According to various embodiments, data storage devices designed for rotating access are described which include rotation-activated fluid control mechanisms.

1. A computer system comprising:
 a processor; 
 a system bus; 
 an input device; 
 an output device; 
 a drive capable of reading data from a substrate configured for rotating access; and 
 instructions stored in one or more of software, hardware or firmware for controlling said drive to produce rotation of the substrate of sufficient intensity and duration for the purpose of activating a rotation activatable fluid release mechanism of the substrate to render at least a portion of machine readable data stored on the substrate inaccessible or unusable, 
 wherein said instructions include instructions for controlling said drive to produce rotation of the substrate at a speed higher than the normal read speed for said drive to produce activation of the rotation activatable fluid release mechanism. 
 
     
     
       2. The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein said instructions include instructions for controlling said drive to produce rotation of the substrate sufficient to produce centrifugal activation of the rotation activatable fluid mechanism. 
     
     
       3. The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein said instructions include instructions for controlling said drive to control an angular acceleration of the substrate. 
     
     
       4. The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein said instructions include instructions for controlling said drive to produce rotation of the substrate sufficient to produce activation of a pressure-sensitive fluid barrier. 
     
     
       5. The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein said instructions include instructions for controlling said drive to produce rotation of the substrate to activate the rotation activatable fluid release mechanism prior to reading data from the substrate. 
     
     
       6. The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein said instructions include instructions for controlling said drive to produce rotation of the substrate to activate the rotation activatable fluid release mechanism subsequent to reading data from the substrate. 
     
     
       7. The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein said instructions include instructions for controlling said drive to produce rotation of the substrate to activate the rotation activatable fluid release mechanism simultaneous with reading data from the substrate. 
     
     
       8. The computer system of  claim 1 , including instructions stored in one or more of software, hardware or firmware for controlling said drive to detect previous activation of the rotation activatable fluid release mechanism prior to reading data from the substrate. 
     
     
       9. The computer system of  claim 8 , including instructions stored in one or more of software, hardware or firmware for controlling said drive to read data from the substrate if no previous activation of the rotation activatable fluid release mechanism is detected. 
     
     
       10. The computer system of  claim 8 , including instructions stored in one or more of software, hardware or firmware for controlling said drive to read data from the substrate if no more than a selected number of previous activations of the rotation activatable fluid release mechanism are detected. 
     
     
       11. The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein said drive includes a detector capable of sensing an outcome of activation of the rotation activatable fluid release mechanism. 
     
     
       12. The computer system of  claim 11 , wherein said drive includes a read head configured to function as said detector. 
     
     
       13. A computer system comprising:
 a processor; 
 an input device; 
 an output device; 
 a drive capable of reading data from a substrate configured for rotating access; and 
 instructions stored in one or more of software, hardware or firmware for controlling said drive to produce rotation of the substrate of sufficient intensity and duration for the purpose of activating a rotation activatable fluid release mechanism of the substrate to render at least a portion of machine readable data stored on the substrate inaccessible or unusable, 
 wherein said instructions include instructions for controlling said drive to produce rotation of the substrate at a speed higher than the normal read speed for said drive to produce activation of the rotation activatable fluid release mechanism. 
 
     
     
       14. The computer system of  claim 13 , wherein said instructions include instructions for controlling said drive to control an angular acceleration of the substrate. 
     
     
       15. The computer system of  claim 13 , wherein said instructions include instructions for controlling said drive to produce rotation of the substrate to activate the rotation activatable fluid release mechanism prior to reading data from the substrate. 
     
     
       16. The computer system of  claim 13 , wherein said instructions include instructions for controlling said drive to produce rotation of the substrate to activate the rotation activatable fluid release mechanism subsequent to reading data from the substrate. 
     
     
       17. The computer system of  claim 13 , wherein said instructions include instructions for controlling said drive to produce rotation of the substrate to activate the rotation activatable fluid release mechanism simultaneous with reading data from the substrate. 
     
     
       18. The computer system of  claim 13 , including instructions stored in one or more of software, hardware or firmware for controlling said drive to detect previous activation of the rotation activatable fluid release mechanism prior to reading data from the substrate.